Filed under: Portable

Harmonix CEO wants an Amplitude sequel for PS3

by Griffin McElroy { 10 months ago }

Before they were cranking out unwavering weekly DLC and allowing single-minded fathers to finally form that family band they've always dreamed of (despite having thoroughly untalented children), Harmonix produced a little-known gem titled Frequency, and shortly thereafter, a sequel named Amplitude. While attention on these titles was washed away by the rising of the Guitar Hero and Rock Band tides, we might be seeing more of them yet.

In a recent interview with Ars Technica, Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos declared his love for Amplitude, and mentioned his wishes to eventually revive the series. Considering that Sony owns that particular property, it would likely come in the form of a PSN download -- however, given their tireless Rock Band DLC schedule and their rapid, company-wide expansion, it might be a while before they can divert the necessary amount of focus to put Amplitude back on the multi-colored, instrument-specific tracks.

Zork returns in 'Legends of Zork,' a casual MMO

by Justin McElroy { 10 months ago }

Sometimes, it seems that games are created just for us. They're lovingly mixed together from base ingredients we can't resist, rolled out on a floured surface, cut into Joystiq-logo shaped cookies and baked to a delicious golden brown. That's exactly what Jolt Online has done by resurrecting the "Zork" franchise in Legends of Zork, a casual, browser-based MMO.

Aside from telling Gamasutra that the game would feature microtransations and that it could be played on a computer or iPhone, Jolt's hasn't spilled much in the way of details. But rest assured that we'll be buying the game (or buying a wicked cool sword in the game, as the case may be) on day one.

7-in-1 USB charging cable is for the bold and thrifty

by Griffin McElroy { 11 months ago }

Are you tired of dealing with the tumbleweed of cords responsible for siphoning power into your GBA SP, DS Phat, DS Lite, DSi, and your three different PSP models? Do you only have seven bucks with which to remedy said problem? Are you brave enough to trust a third-party company whose promotional materials feature glaring typos (we trust you can find it in the above image) with moving electricity from one of your expensive electronic devices into another? Can we turn your attention to Brando's 7-in-1 USB Charging Cable, the perfect gift for those who meet the criteria listed above? Can we write this whole post only using interrogative sentences? Yes, we can. Aw, crap.

Modder finally illuminates the Game Boy Pocket

by Griffin McElroy { 11 months ago }

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to modder Michael "Bibin" Moffitt -- for years now, our eyes have undergone irreversible damage due to being frequently strained in order to play our Game Boy Pockets in ill-lighted environments. Using only an LED, some perspex and a diffusive layer, Bibin managed to add a backlight to his beloved Pocket, leading to illuminated rounds of Dr. Mario with little effect on the system's battery life. Good going, Bibin!

(Okay, seriously, nobody tell this guy about the Game Boy Light or GBA SP. It sounds like he worked really hard on this, and we don't want to ... ) Oh, hey, Bibin! You're still here! Sure, we'd love to play some Mario's Picross! What's that? Your mom made Rice Krispie Treats? Awesome.

N64 goes portable with Nintendo Sixtyfree Lite-R

by Griffin McElroy { 11 months ago }

This certainly isn't the first time Nintendo's enumerated home console made the jump to the handheld realm -- but it might just be the sleekest portable N64 we've seen to date. SifuF, a disciple of modding guru Ben Heck, recently displayed his terrifying techno-prowess by crafting the Nintendo Sixtyfree Lite-R (catchy, no?), pictured above.

It sports all the buttons of a standard N64 controller, a 5" display (yoinked from the PSOne LCD screen), and an unobtrusive cartridge slot. Unfortunately, its petite framework didn't leave room for an internal battery -- it requires an external infolithium (or other 7.2v) power supply to run. A small, small price to pay for on-the-go sessions of ~~Pokémon Snap~~ Ocarina of Time.

Passage now passes time on iPhone

by Ross Miller { 11 months ago }

We understand your position. You see no reason to pick up Jason Rohrer's Passage on iPhone (or iPod Touch), especially when (a) you don't "get it" and (b) they're charging 99 cents and it's still available for free on his website for PC, Mac and Linux. Art games aren't for everyone, but aspiring game designers take note: This game says more in 5 minutes and 100 x 16 pixels than most games do maxing out a DVD-ROM. If you're into that sort of thing, you might want to consider giving Passage your support (and a hard-earned George Washington at that).

[Via Braid Game]

Download -- Direct link (opens iTunes)

Gizmondo misses its 2008 resurrection

by Ross Miller { 11 months ago }

We didn't expect the biggest news of 2008 to hit so late in the year. Folks, we've got some bad, bad news for you: the Gizmondo is not making its 2008 rebirth as originally planned. We'll give you time to let that sink in. The culprit, according to co-founder Carl Freer (you know, the one who isn't a felon), is the global economy. To be sure, GIzmondo still lives and is expected to come in two mobile OS variants,Windows CE and Android, and as such the device will still be usable as a phone.

Although not officially priced, it will not come out for the onetime-announced $99. Said Freer, "The simple reason [is] that it costs more to by from OEM's than if you have a large manufacturer who can build everything from scratch." Fear not, true believers, the Gizmondo will rise again ... someday.

[Via Engadget]

TGS 08: Full Square Enix Closed Theater impressions

by Majed Athab { 1 year ago }

Ah, the Square Enix Mega Theater. It's always something to look forward to at every TGS. We took the time to check out the theater and see what's cooking behind those big, black walls. Square Enix showed off trailers for nine games and a film in the Mega Theater, including two PS3 titles, the Advent Children Complete movie, and four PSP titles. Grab the full scoop on each title in our Square Enix Closed Theater impressions.

Rumorong: Sega not releasing portable game hardware

by Justin McElroy { 1 year ago }

Despite what you may have heard from Register Hardware or various and sundry other media outlets over the weekend, Sega isn't getting back into the hardware business. Yes, the company's releasing a portable device that can "play games," in addition to playing music and movies as well as serving as a digital camera. But those games are Java-based, just like the ones you're playing on your cell phone right now. Well, not right now. But you get the idea.

To really drive home the point, Sega told Unofficial RPG Site, "The Vision is primarily an MP4 video player with some basic games functionality, and not a new handheld gaming machine" (emphasis RPG Site). RPG Site goes on to add, "the Sega Vision isn't actually a Sega-developed device at all, and in fact a cheap Chinese iPod-style alternative."

We know, we know. We're upset too.

Source -- Sega to launch PSP beater in Japan [Register Hardware]
Source -- SEGA: "Vision" is real, not a PSP rival [Unofficial RPG Site]

[Thanks to everyone who tipped us to this!]

Rock Band portable drum kit is not 'NunchukPlus'

by James Ransom-Wiley { 1 year ago }

While it looks like one helluva Wiimote attachment, this gangly peripheral is actually a portable Rock Band (or more appropriately, Rock Band 2) drum kit made by Mad Catz for Xbox 360. So no, we won't be flailing the loose ends about as we race our karts through Moo Moo Meadows. We're told the pads must be laid flat, like on a sturdy coffee table (best not glass) -- or in our case: the unpaid intern's back, or better, draped over his neck like some gaudy Jesus piece -- and repeatedly smashed to the beat of the on-screen cues. We're currently testing the "designed to withstand over 1 million strikes" certification, though the same intern has begun to complain that his wrist hurts. To which we reply: "Dude, stop hitting yourself." (Yeah, we're evil like that.)

The "Official Rock Band Portable Drum Kit for Xbox 360" is currently in limbo on GameShark for $59.99 (and Buy.com for $10 less).

[Via Engadget]

Joystiq hands-on: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

by Majed Athab { 1 year ago }

Classic 2D Castlevania is here to stay. At least, that's how we feel after playing the latest in the series to hit the Nintendo DS, Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia. While the game stays true to the flat-faced games we've seen in the past, there's enough here in this little square cartridge to make things feel fresh ... blood fresh.

One of the elements that stands out the most in this new Castlevania is the glyph system. In order to carry out actions, characters absorb glyphs (which are usually either weapons, i.e. a rapier, or magic, i.e. flying fire balls) and assign them to the X and Y buttons. You can equip the same glyph more than once, making things slightly more economical. You have a green bar under your red health bar -- this is a magic gauge. This depletes as you use your glyphs, but refills quickly as soon as you stop performing any actions with them; it basically regulates your attacks, so you won't be able to mindlessly breeze through the game.

Gallery: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

Continued →

Virtual Boy blowing up in UAE

by Justin McElroy { 1 year ago }

Want even more proof that everything Nintendo touches turns to gold? There's a new hot, impossible-to-find toy in the United Arab Emirates, and it's ... the Virtual Boy. That's right, even Nintendo's poorly conceived, poorly executed leavings are flying off the shelves.

OK, so the box of 100 of the ill-fated consoles, recently unearthed in a Dubai warehouse, is probably so popular thanks to rabid collectors wanting to snap them up, and not because the children of the UAE want to finally experience Teleroboxer for themselves. Just don't be surprised to see Nintendo including them in its NPDs next month.

[Thanks, Ben]

Myst + iPhone = iMyst, cue iGag over iNaming iScheme

by Kevin Kelly { 1 year ago }

Oh Myst, whatever happened to you? We loved you when you were original, and we loved you even more when Riven came out. Then we were rudely slapped in the face when the game left Cyan and Ubisoft released Myst III: Exile and later Myst IV: Ages of Revelation. We tried to be chipper when you went back to Cyan and Myst V: End of Ages came out, but honestly too much water had passed under the bridge. Maybe because of the Uru: Ages Beyond Myst / Myst Online: Uru Live debacle.

But... what's this? You're coming to the iPhone? And you're being developed by Cyan? Well, glory be. However, you promised as a PSP version, and we're still waiting on that. It came out in Europe in 2006, so what gives? We know your DS version came out recently, but it is not being universally loved.

We know you might be too busy and Hollywood now, with your movie deal and iPhone announcement. But, we're still smarting from our past experiences. We'll give you another chance, but you'll need to hurry along while we're still smitten with the iPhone. And please, don't call it iMyst. Myst will do just fine. You wouldn't want us to get Pyst all over again.

[Update: We just heard from one of the gents working on the game (Yeah, that's the kind of pull we have) and they tell us "I'm pretty darn sure we're only calling it iMyst internally as a goofy moniker. I really doubt you've got anything to worry about with regards to rebranding of the game. Who knows, maybe if it does well, other Cyan games will follow." Good news all around!]

Watch the Blip Festival documentary free for one week

by Kevin Kelly { 1 year ago }

One of the most surprising films in the sort of "Holy crap? What the heck?! This is cool!" vein to come out of SXSW film festival earlier this year was Blip Festival: Reformat The Planet. It's all about chiptune music and the performers, and is beautifully shot. It's hard to imagine Nintendo thinking people would be hacking into their Game Boys in order to create full-fledged concerts, concerts that would one day spark a feature documentary and an entire genre of music.

For one week, you can watch the impressive documentary at Pitchfork.tv. It's even broken up into bite-sized chapters for you. Give it a looksee and you'll find yourself toe-tapping along to the addictive 8-bit music throughout the film. It's beaten Wizard Rock as our current favorite geek music of choice.

[Thanks, Eliot]

Times: iPhone could be in 'same league' as DS, PSP

by Randy Nelson { 1 year ago }

The gaming community doesn't typically put a lot of stock in what media outlets such as Time have to say about our collective hobby. But these publications do tend to have their fingers on the pulse of the mainstream, providing perspective on and to that other, oh, baziliion or so consumers who aren't "enthusiasts." So, when they tell their audience that Apple's iPhone could be big for gaming, it's definitely worth taking notice.

In its article, "Can the iPhone Rule Gaming?," Time makes some compelling points. One quarter of all currently available iPhone app store titles are games, and, further to that, seven out of the top 10 paid app downloads are games. Also, as the article points out, a third of the iPhone userbase is in the game industry's hottest demographic, aged 26 and under. The article spotlights the ease of downloading games to the device directly as a key advantage over DS and PSP. These factors, combined with titles such as Spore: Origins, could, in Time's words, "Bring the iPhone into the same league as the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP."

Still, there are questions raised, particularly regarding software quality. The piece's author, Anita Hamilton, states, "Key to the iPhone's success as a gaming platform is a deep portfolio of titles that take advantage of the device's coolest attributes, such as its tilt sensor," adding that, "It remains to be seen ... whether iPhone games actually evolve beyond the amusing, lightweight titles available now."